Tea originated in China and India many centuries ago and is now the most commonly consumed beverage in the world, other than water, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Green tea is the form of tea that has not been fermented, and it contains some of the highest amounts of antioxidants of the tea varieties available. It may also help you lower your cholesterol levels. Before you begin to use green tea to lower your cholesterol, consult your health care provider.
Cholesterol Explained
Cholesterol is present in all of the cells of your body, and some is necessary for your body to function properly, according to National Heart Lung & Blood Institute. But when there is too much cholesterol, it can lead to a hardening of the arteries and cause such conditions as heart disease and stroke. The cholesterol in your bloodstream comes in two different forms. The LDL cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, sticks to the walls of your arteries and can build up to cause blockages. HDL cholesterol, or "good" cholesterol helps your body get rid of too much LDL in your blood. It's important to keep a healthy level of each kind of cholesterol to avoid serious health conditions.
Green Tea Health Benefits
Green tea is used as a natural way to treat high cholesterol as well as other conditions such as atherosclerosis, liver disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and some forms of cancer, reports UMMC. Green tea is also a natural treatment for cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. MedlinePlus adds that green tea ointment is effective in treating genital warts and that it is likely an effective treatment for human papilloma virus, low blood pressure and to delay the onset of Parkinson's disease.
Research
Green tea has been researched for its ability to help lower cholesterol with very positive results. One such study was conducted at the Cholesterol Treatment Center in Concord, New Hampshire. Researchers investigated a number of natural ingredients for their cholesterol-lowering effects in various clinical trials. They concluded that green tea, specifically a substance called catechin contained in green tea, showed promise as an LDL-lowering agent. The full results of the study are available in the November 2009 issue of "Current Atherosclerosis Reports."
How Does it Work?
Green tea uses several of its components that act as antioxidants to lower LDL levels in the blood, while raising HDL levels, says UMMC. In fact, populations that drink a lot of green tea are reported to have lower overall cholesterol levels than those who don't drink green tea. The tea is thought to also slow the intestinal absorption of cholesterol from your diet, which keeps it from entering your bloodstream, where it can cause health problems.
Considerations
Green tea may interact with some prescription medications you take, so ask your pharmacist or health care provider about any possible interactions. Among the medications that may cause harmful interactions with green tea use are certain antibiotics, anti-anxiety medications, blood thinners, heart medications, anti-psychotic drugs, cancer drugs, lithium, certain antidepressants and some over-the-counter cough or cold remedies, according to UMMC.
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